State lawmakers want to hear your opinion on voting in Lee CountyMigrants entering Florida under controversial parole program
State lawmakers want to hear your opinion on voting in Lee County Right now, everyone votes for or against all five of the Lee Commissioners, but they’re talking about changing the system so that each commissioner represents a specific part of the county.
FORT MYERS Migrants entering Florida under controversial parole program The House Committee on Homeland Security has released documents, which show a surge in migrants entering the United States through a parole program, sparking debate over immigration policies and border security.
North Collier firefighter beats cancer, educates others on safety He’s a father, son, friend and mentor, but for the last four years, he’s been in a battle for his life.
CAPE CORAL Man arrested in connection to brother’s death in Cape Coral A man wanted for questioning in the death of his brother at his Cape Coral home has been arrested in Pennsylvania.
Candidates challenge Punta Gorda incumbents over land, building regulations A growing grassroots movement has united residents seeking to stem high density and restrict building heights, and three are challenging Punta Gorda City Council members who are up for reelection this year.
Hurricane season is one month away The outlook for the 2024 Hurricane Season is for it be active, potentially even hyperactive.
NORTH FORT MYERS 1 dead after crash on SR 31 and Busbee Rd. in North Fort Myers At around noon Wednesday, the Florida Highway Patrol said a PT Cruiser and a car hauler collided on State Road 31 and Busbee Road, near the Lee/Charlotte County line.
Man sentenced to 25 years in prison for molesting Lee County child A Florida man will spend the next 25 years in prison for molesting a child in Lee County.
LEHIGH ACRES Man accused of using stolen credit card from car burglary at Lehigh Acres CVS Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is seeking information on a man who allegedly used a stolen credit card at the CVS in Lehigh Acres.
ARCADIA Family of flea market murder victim struggles to find closure The family of a woman who was murdered at an Arcadia flea market continues to seek justice as the accused killer awaits trial.
NAPLES Naples man accused of possessing child porn After an investigation, a Naples man has been arrested after allegedly having child pornography in his home.
CAPE CORAL Arrest report for volunteer softball coach accused of inappropriate behavior released New details have been released about the arrest of a Cape Coral volunteer softball coach accused of sending nude photos and touching a 17-year-old student.
The Weather Authority Isolated storms pop up this afternoon and evening Afternoon of isolated storms in Southwest Florida.
FORT MYERS BEACH Fort Myers Beach to test hurricane emergency messaging alert The Town of Fort Myers Beach is set to test its CodeRED alert system as hurricane season begins in 31 days.
FORT MYERS Students make goodie bags for kids fighting Cancer A special delivery, straight from the heart, to Galisano’s Children’s Hospital. Three 8th graders from Lexington Middle School delivered 100 goodie bags to bring smiles to kids fighting cancer.
State lawmakers want to hear your opinion on voting in Lee County Right now, everyone votes for or against all five of the Lee Commissioners, but they’re talking about changing the system so that each commissioner represents a specific part of the county.
FORT MYERS Migrants entering Florida under controversial parole program The House Committee on Homeland Security has released documents, which show a surge in migrants entering the United States through a parole program, sparking debate over immigration policies and border security.
North Collier firefighter beats cancer, educates others on safety He’s a father, son, friend and mentor, but for the last four years, he’s been in a battle for his life.
CAPE CORAL Man arrested in connection to brother’s death in Cape Coral A man wanted for questioning in the death of his brother at his Cape Coral home has been arrested in Pennsylvania.
Candidates challenge Punta Gorda incumbents over land, building regulations A growing grassroots movement has united residents seeking to stem high density and restrict building heights, and three are challenging Punta Gorda City Council members who are up for reelection this year.
Hurricane season is one month away The outlook for the 2024 Hurricane Season is for it be active, potentially even hyperactive.
NORTH FORT MYERS 1 dead after crash on SR 31 and Busbee Rd. in North Fort Myers At around noon Wednesday, the Florida Highway Patrol said a PT Cruiser and a car hauler collided on State Road 31 and Busbee Road, near the Lee/Charlotte County line.
Man sentenced to 25 years in prison for molesting Lee County child A Florida man will spend the next 25 years in prison for molesting a child in Lee County.
LEHIGH ACRES Man accused of using stolen credit card from car burglary at Lehigh Acres CVS Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is seeking information on a man who allegedly used a stolen credit card at the CVS in Lehigh Acres.
ARCADIA Family of flea market murder victim struggles to find closure The family of a woman who was murdered at an Arcadia flea market continues to seek justice as the accused killer awaits trial.
NAPLES Naples man accused of possessing child porn After an investigation, a Naples man has been arrested after allegedly having child pornography in his home.
CAPE CORAL Arrest report for volunteer softball coach accused of inappropriate behavior released New details have been released about the arrest of a Cape Coral volunteer softball coach accused of sending nude photos and touching a 17-year-old student.
The Weather Authority Isolated storms pop up this afternoon and evening Afternoon of isolated storms in Southwest Florida.
FORT MYERS BEACH Fort Myers Beach to test hurricane emergency messaging alert The Town of Fort Myers Beach is set to test its CodeRED alert system as hurricane season begins in 31 days.
FORT MYERS Students make goodie bags for kids fighting Cancer A special delivery, straight from the heart, to Galisano’s Children’s Hospital. Three 8th graders from Lexington Middle School delivered 100 goodie bags to bring smiles to kids fighting cancer.
Credit: WINK News. People who spend part of their time up north and the other part in Southwest Florida and other parts of the state must decide what they will do during the time they would normally travel down south. We spoke to a few northerners Wednesday, who say the continued rise in daily reported cases could be a deal breaker when assessing a return to the region. And a health expert we spoke to said, once here, it’s not easy to stay indoors with all the amenities, including the beach, the area has to offer. But prevention is still possible. We all know beaches in Southwest Florida are busy in the winter months. Jack Denneboom is a snowbird from Canada who calls Naples home during the tourism season in the state. He is concerned about the current daily numbers reported by the department of health. “I think Florida needs to take it seriously,” Denneboom said. Denneboom says he normally is very active as a community member when it comes to the local economy during season. “I bought a car down there last year. We hit your grocery stores and go to restaurants and rent boats we play golf,” Denneboom said. “When we are down there, I spend $200 on dinner, and we go out to dinner five times a week. That’s a huge impact on the economy and tourist [industry].” Denneboom says they take full advantage of all the beautiful things Southwest Florida has to offer, but, this year, they might not be able to enjoy them. “Our expectation is we aren’t going to be there this year,” Denneboom said. “And it’s sad. It’s sad.” Denneboom says he hopes to return to the region this winter and support the local economy, but said he will continue to wait and see if cases begin to come down first. “Me and my friends, we’re mostly retired, and we want to go to our homes in Florida,” he said. “But, also, most of us are over 65, and we’re saying, ‘Do we want to go to Florida and get sick?’” Denneboom is not the only one thinking the same thing. “I think people that were here and the snowbirds are going to hesitate about coming down this year,” said Lin Lapierre in Naples. The percent of tests coming back positive are nearing 20%. “People don’t generally follow rules,” Eric Lee Dicken said. “The bars and everything I’m concerned with that,” Lapierre said. Dr. Bindu Mayi, a professor at Nova Southeastern University with a Ph.D. in microbiology, says it’s true Florida is a hard state to stay indoors away from people. “Our beaches are too beautiful,” Mayi said. “Socially, I think our makeup may be more of an enticement to be outside, have a pool party and go to the beach.” But Mayi says we need to tighten up our precautions against the virus. “This is still preventable,” Mayi said. “We can still function as a society. We just need to be smart about this. It’s a virus, and the virus needs more bodies to infect. And, if we deprive them of those bodies, it starts to end.”